Ornamental rhythmic fountain

ABSTRACT

An ornamental fountain intended for small garden ponds around a home or in office lobbies and apartment entrances in which a water retaining basin is provided having a decorative center piece with ornamental foliage projecting upwardly therefrom and supported on a framework on the bottom surface of the basin, and a plurality of leaf like members disposed above the center piece at different points about a circle defined thereabove and extending radially outwardly from the center of the circle, each of the leaf members supported on a flexible thin rod extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom to be attached at positions on the supporting frame beneath the normal level of the water in the basin, and a water supply tube having one end disposed in the container from whence it branches into a plurality of inverted Jshaped tubes each extending longitudinally out of the container and having their respective outlet portions each associated with a particular leaf member in a manner to discharge water onto the leaf members, the force of the water impinging on the leaf members effecting the rhythmic rocking motion thereof back and forth in the general plane defined by the direction of the water discharged thereonto thus providing a pleasing rhythmic effect, with the water supply tube connected in a suitable manner to a water pump and motor for constantly circulating the water from the basin up through the tube and onto the leaf from whence it falls back into the basin to again be circulated.

United States Patent [191 Hamilton [11] 3,820,715 June 28, 1974ORNAMENTAL RHYTHMIC FOUNTAIN [76] Inventor: Charles Edward Hamilton, Rt.No. 5

18 West Ave, Arcadia, Fla. 3382] [22] Filed: Sept. 13, 1973 [21] Appl.No.: 397,075

Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King Assistant Examiner-Andres Kashnikow [57]ABSTRACT An ornamental fountain intended for small garden ponds around ahome or in office lobbies and apartment entrances in which a waterretaining basin is prohis vided having a decorative center piece withornamental foliage projecting upwardly therefrom and supported on aframework on the bottom surface of the basin, and a plurality of leaflike members disposed above the center piece at different points about acircle defined thereabove and extending radially outwardly from thecenter of the circle. each of the leaf members supported on a flexiblethin rod extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom to be attached atpositions on the supporting frame beneath the normal level of the waterin the basin, and a water supply tube having one end disposed in thecontainer from whence it branches into a plurality of inverted J-shapedtubes each extending longitudinally out of the container and havingtheir respective outlet portions each associated with a particular leafmember in a manner to discharge water ontothe leaf members, the force ofthe water impinging on the leaf members effecting the rhythmic rockingmotion thereof back and forth in the general plane defined by thedirection of the water discharged thereonto thus providing a pleasingrhythmic effect, with the water supply tube connected in a suitablemanner to a water pump and motor for constantly circulating the waterfrom the basin up through the tube and onto the leaf from whence itfallsback into the basin to again be circulated.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 ORNAMENTAL RHYTHMIC FOUNTAIN BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generallyto fountains and more particularly to a novel ornamental fountain havingleaf members provided with a rhythmic motion by the force of waterdischarged by the fountain and impinging on the leaf members.

2. Description of the Prior Art Ornamental fountains occur in variousforms and types ranging from the very simple fountain devices up toquite complex fountain devices, with such normally involving multitudesof jets to provide stationary orv moving jets of water in a lively andpleasing display. While the viewing of such fountains is pleasurable itsoon becomes quite boring except for the pleasure of the sound ofrunning water in a location where the same would not be otherwiseexpected, such as in an office lobby or entrance and the like.

While the number and type of fountains are endless, there are noneprovided in the prior art which utilize simulated plant foliage with thewater operating therewith to provide a somewhat natural rhythmic effectto the .plant as would be obtained as when the plant would be blown inthe woods or when the plant is subjected 'to a light rain or the likewhere the leaves thereof move back and forth in a rhythmic manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an ornamentalfountain having a rhythmic leaf motion and which is of a size which maybe incorporated into small garden pools around the home, or which may bemade of a larger size or with a multitude of such devices in a singleoverall fountain basin to enhance an office lobby, apartment entranceand the like.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a novel ornamentalrhythmic fountain simulating foliage of a typical plant and supported inthe basin of a fountain with simulated leaf members disposed angularlyabout the simulated plant in a manner simulating branches and the like,and with water being discharged onto such leaf members in a mannereffecting the rhythmic rocking motion thereof.

A further feature of the present invention provides an ornamentalrhythmic fountain adapted for indoor and outdoor utilization, which isrelatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readilymanufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturingmethods; one which is relatively devoidof moving parts with the motionimparted thereto being effected by the forces of the running water suchthat the fountain is unlikely to get out of order; one which is ruggedin construction and reliable in operation; one which is aestheticallypleasing and refined in apperance; and one which, otherwise. is welladapted to perform the services required of it, are further desirablefeatures which have been borne in mind in the production and developmentof the present invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming apart of this specification, and in which like reference characters areemployed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a water retaining basin having aplurality of fountain devices constructed in accordance with the presentinvention disposed randomly therein to provide a pleasing aestheticappearance thereto;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fountain device constructed inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the fountain of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingsthere is disclosed a preferred form of a fountain constructed inaccordance with the present invention and which is designated in itsentirety by the reference numeral 10, the fountain being comprised of asupporting frame 11, a vase 12, a plurality of water delivery tubes 13,and a like number of leaf like members 14 each rockingly supported atthe end of separate flexible rods 15 depending downwardly therefrom tobe connected to the supporting frame 11. The fountain 10 is adapted tobe supported on frame 11 on the bottom surface 20 of a basin, such asdesignated by reference numeral 21, having a normal water leveldesignated by reference numeral 22, this being as seen in the drawings.While a plurality of fountains 10 are disclosed in FIG. 1, it is to beunderstood that the basin 21 may be of various sizes and configurationswith any number of fountains being disposed therein depending on theindividual desires of the user and the intended location therefor, as towhether it is to be placed in a large office lobby or to be placed in asmall entry hallway of an apartment.

The supporting frame 11 comprises four independent legs 31 eachdepending downwardly and outwardly from a base 32 and terminating atends 33 adapted to be rested on the basin bottom surface 20 and whichare equally spaced angularly from each other concentrically about thebase 32.

The vase I2 is defined by a vase bottom surface 41 adapted to beremovably secured in any convenient conventional manner to thesupporting frame base 32 with the side walls 42 of the vase extendingupwardly therefrom and terminating at a top rim 43 which surrounds anddefines an opening leading into a compartment interiorly of the vase.Disposed in the vase com partment is a plurality of simulated foliage 45which projects outwardly from the vase above the rim 43 in a mannersimulating the growth of a plant.

The plurality of leaf like members 14 are disposed equally about thevase 12 at a level above rim 43 approximately equal the height of theterminal end portion 46 of the foliage 45 to provide an appearance asbeing an extension of such foliage, each leaf like member including abase portion 51, a tip portion 52, and an intermediate body portion 53.Connected to the bottom of the body portion 53 adjacent the base portion51 is anend 56 of an associated flexible rod 15 which depends downwardlyand radially inwardly therefrom with the opposite end 57 connected in asuitable manner to the legs 31 of the supporting frame 11 at positionsbeneath the water level 22 in the basin 21. Fur ther, it is to be notedthat the normal water level 22 is above the base 41 of the vase 12 suchthat only the upper portion of the vase and the foliage thereabove isseen above the level of the water, this being as shown in the drawings.

For each leaf like member 14 there is provided a separate water deliverytube 13 each being of a general inverted J-shape having a stem portion61 and a curved head portion 62, each head portion extending verticallyabove the level of the associated leaf member 14 and oriented in adirection to discharge water from the end 63 thereof downwardly onto thetop surface of the body portion 53 of the associated leaf member, thestems 61 of each of the water delivery tubes extending longitudinallydownward from the head portions substantially centrally of the vase l2withthe portions extending into the vase compartment being fixedlysupported therein to retain the tubes 13 in their properly orientedposition.

The inlet ends (not shown) of each of the delivery tubes 13 disposedinwardly of vase 12 are connected in a suitable manner to the dischargeend (not shown) of a tube 71 having its discharge end projecting intothe vase compartment through the vase l2 and vase bot tom surface 41,with the tube extending downwardly therefrom and terminating in a waterflow control valve 73 adapted to control the volume of water flowthrough tubes 71 and associated connected water delivery tubes 13. Thewater control valve 73 is connected by a flexible hosing 74 to an outlet75 of a water pump 76 which is driven by motor 77 and which is providedwith an inlet port 78 for drawing water thereinto in the direction ofarrow 79, such inlet port receiving its supply of water from within thebasin 21 in a manner to continuously circulate the water in the basinthrough the pump providing a constant water flow with no waste of thewater being used except for normal evaporation thereof.

In operation, the basin 21 is first filled with water to the normalwater level 22, after which the fountain is placed therein and connectedto the water pump 76. The pump 76 is then energized and the water flowcontrol valve 73 slowly opened to permit water to pass through hosing 71and interconnected water delivery tubes 13 to be discharged fromopenings 63 onto leaf like members 14, the force of the discharged waterimpinging on the top surface of the body portion of the individual leaflike members effecting the movement of the same in a direction outwardlyfrom base 12 in a manner to flex rod 15, the forces of the flexed rodthen serving to return the leaf member to its normal position which issomewhat prevented by the force of the water still impinging on the leafmember such that a rocking type rhythmic motion is established, thisrhythmic motion continuing as long as the water flow continues and wouldbe in the direction of arrows 80 in FIG. 2.

Further, in view of the uneven contours of the top surface of the leaflike members, the water impinging thereon is deflected therefrom indifferent directions thus dispersing and varying the force of the wateron the leaf member which also assists in the effecting of the rhythmicleaf motion.

There is thus provided an aesthetically pleasing ornamental fountainsimulating rhythmic plant motion while simultaneously providing thepleasures of running water normally associated with fountains, therhythmic leaf motion being quite pleasing and restful to an individualviewing the fountain.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shownand described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, andthat this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement ofparts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in thisspecification as various changes in the details of construction as toshape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novelconcepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. An ornamentalrhythmic fountain intended for placement in a water retaining basinhaving an initial supply of water at a normal water level disposedtherein, the fountain comprising a supporting frame having a baseportion with leg members depending downwardly and outwardly therefromadapted to engage the basin bottom surface to support the base at adistance thereabove beneath the normal water level, a vase member havinga bottom surface removably secured to the support base with the vaseextending upwardly therefrom terminating in a rim portion surrounding acompartment defined interiorly of the vase and opening outwardly andupwardly from the vase between the rim portion, a plurality of foliagesimulating members in the form of leaves and the like projectingupwardly and outwardly of the vase compartment terminating a distanceupwardly and outwardly therefrom, a plurality of leaf like membersdisposed above the rim of the vase at a level approximately equal to theheight of the foliage within the vase compartment above the vase rim,the leaf members being angularly disposed at equal distances about thevase and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, each leaf memberincluding a baseportion disposed nearest the vase foliage and a tipportion disposed furthest therefrom with such base and tip beinginterconnected by a body portion, a plurality of flexible rods adaptedto fixedly support the leaf members above the vase, the bottom surfaceof each leaf member fixedly attached to one end of an associatedflexible rod which then projects downwardly and inwardly therefrom withthe opposite rod end portion fastened to a leg of the supporting frameat a position disposed beneath the normal water level, a plurality ofinverted .l-shaped water delivery tubes equal in number to the number ofleaf like members with a tube associated with each leaf member, eachtube having a stem portion disposed approximately centrally of the vaseand projecting axially outwardly therefrom to a position above the levelof the associated leaf member, with each tube having a curved headportion connected with the tube and curving to a position above theassociated leaf member in a manner to discharge water from the tube ontothe body and tip portions of the leaf member, each stem provided with aninlet opening in fluid communication with a water supply pipe extendingthrough the support base and vase bottom surface and joined in fluidconnection with each of the water carrying tubes, the opposite end ofthe water pipe connected to a water flow control valve operable tocontrol the flow of water through the pipe and the associated waterdelivery tubes, the water flow control valve adapted to be connected bya flexible hose to a motor driven water pump in a manner to effectcirculation of the water from the basin upwardly through the water pipeto be discharged from the water delivery tubes onto the top surface ofthe associated leaf members, the force of the water impinging on suchleaf members effecting the outward and downward movement thereof withthe associated flexing of the associated rod supporting the same, theforce of the rod tending to restore the leaf member to its normalposition, and the leaf member having a contoured top surface simulatinga leaf which contours serve to deflect the water discharged thereonto ina manner to reduce the water force on the leaf member the further theleaf member is deflected from its normal position such that between theforces of the water on the leaf member and the associated force of theflexible rod supporting the same the leaf provides a rhythmic rockingmotion radially inwardly and outwardly of the vase providing a pleasingappearance simulatory of normal plant and leaf movement.

2. The ornamental rhythmic fountain as set' forth in claim 1 wherein theleg members of the supporting frame are convex in shape and each extendoutwardly from the frame base at equal angular distances about the basewith each terminating in a foot portion disposed substantially radiallyoutwardly ofthe longitudinal axis of the base providing a firm stableframe.

3. The ornamental rhythmic fountain as set forth in claim 2 furthercomprising a water pump having an outlet connected by a flexible hosingto the water flow control valve and an inlet connected by a flexiblehosing to the water within the basin in which the fountain is resting,and an electric motor d'rivingly connected to the pump in a manner toremove water from the basin and direct the same through the water flowcontrol valve upwardly through the pipe to be discharged from the waterdelivery tubes onto the leaf like members from which the water fallsupon the surface of the water in the basin to again be recirculated inthe same manner.

4. The ornamental rhythmic fountain as set forth in claim 3 wherein thesupport frame has four leg members, the leaf like members numbering fourin total spaced at angular equal distances about the vase, the waterdelivery tubes number four in total with each associated with one of theleaf like members, with there being a total of four flexible rods witheach rod associated with one of the leg members and one of the leaf likemembers disposed thereabove.

1. An ornamental rhythmic fountain intended for placement in a waterretaining basin having an initial supply of water at a normal waterlevel disposed therein, the fountain comprising a supporting framehaving a base portion with leg members depending downwardly andoutwardly therefrom adapted to engage the basin bottom surface tosupport the base at a distance thereabove beneath the normal waterlevel, a vase member having a bottom surface removably secured to thesupport base with the vase extending upwardly therefrom terminating in arim portion surrounding a compartment defined interiorly of the vase andopening outwardly and upwardly from the vase between the rim portion, aplurality of foliage simulating members in the form of leaves and thelike projecting upwardly and outwardly of the vase compartmentterminating a distance upwardly and outwardly therefrom, a plurality ofleaf like members disposed above the rim of the vase at a levelapproximately equal to the height of the foliage within the vasecompartment above the vase rim, the leaf members being angularlydisposed at equal distances about the vase and projecting radiallyoutwardly therefrom, each leaf member including a base portion disposednearest the vase foliage and a tip portion disposed furthest therefromwith such base and tip being interconnected by a body portion, aplurality of flexible rods adapted to fixedly support the leaf membersabove the vase, the bottom surface of each leaf member fixedly attachedto one end of an associated flexible rod which then projects downwardlyand inwardly therefrom with the opposite rod end portion fastened to aleg of the supporting frame at a position disposed beneath the normalwater level, a plurality of inverted J-shaped water delivery tubes equalin number to the number of leaf like members with a tube associated witheach leaf member, each tube having a stem portion disposed approximatelycentrally of the vase and projecting axially outwardly therefrom to aposition above the level of the associated leaf member, with each tubehaving a curved head portion connected with the tube and curving to aposition above the associated leaf member in a manner to discharge waterfrom the tube onto the body and tip portions of the leaf member, eachstem provided with an inlet opening in fluid communication with a watersupply pipe extending through the support base and vase bottom surfaceand joined in fluid connection with each of the water carrying tubes,the opposite end of the water pipe connected to a water flow controlvalve operable to control the flow of water through the pipe and theassociated water delivery tubes, the water flow control valve adapted tobe connected by a flexible hose to a motor driven water pump in a mannerto effect circulation of the water from the basin upwardly through thewater pipe to be discharged from the water delivery tubes onto the topsurface of the associated leaf members, the force of the water impingingon such leaf members effecting the outward and downward movement thereofwith the associated flexing of the associated rod supporting the same,the force of the rod tending to restore the leaf member to its normalposition, and the leaf member having a contoured top surface simulatinga leaf which contours serve to deflect the water discharged thereonto ina manner to reduce the water force on the leaf member the further theleaf member is deflected from its normal position such that between theforces of the water on the leaf member and the associated force of theflexible rod supporting the same the leaf provides a rhythmic rockingmotion radially inwardly and outwardly of the vase providing a pleasingappearance simulatory of noRmal plant and leaf movement.
 2. Theornamental rhythmic fountain as set forth in claim 1 wherein the legmembers of the supporting frame are convex in shape and each extendoutwardly from the frame base at equal angular distances about the basewith each terminating in a foot portion disposed substantially radiallyoutwardly of the longitudinal axis of the base providing a firm stableframe.
 3. The ornamental rhythmic fountain as set forth in claim 2further comprising a water pump having an outlet connected by a flexiblehosing to the water flow control valve and an inlet connected by aflexible hosing to the water within the basin in which the fountain isresting, and an electric motor drivingly connected to the pump in amanner to remove water from the basin and direct the same through thewater flow control valve upwardly through the pipe to be discharged fromthe water delivery tubes onto the leaf like members from which the waterfalls upon the surface of the water in the basin to again berecirculated in the same manner.
 4. The ornamental rhythmic fountain asset forth in claim 3 wherein the support frame has four leg members, theleaf like members numbering four in total spaced at angular equaldistances about the vase, the water delivery tubes number four in totalwith each associated with one of the leaf like members, with there beinga total of four flexible rods with each rod associated with one of theleg members and one of the leaf like members disposed thereabove.